It’s the start of the new year and for a photographer, the start of a much-needed slower season. Fall and Christmas kick our shutter-happy butts with a packed schedule of family photography sessions for holiday cards, engagement photos (because boyfriends know their longtime girlfriends are expecting something besides a sweater this time of year) and any newborns that happen to come along during these super busy months. Throw in at least 50 school-related events that start mid-October and run until school lets out in December and you’ve got one pooped photographer.
Just reading that made me tired. And while we love the busy season because it’s what our business thrives on, the slow season is welcomed with very open arms that need a little stretching after holding a camera at a 70-degree angle every day for three months. During the slow season we can organize those receipts, model release forms, and invoices I hastily shoved in an already-packed drawer this fall; wander the streets taking photos to remind ourselves why we love photography; and blog.
Yep, blogging…one of many ways photographers market themselves by sharing photos online, anywhere and everywhere that lets us. We might annoy you at times, but please know we have to do it. Blogging helps increase our internet presence to attract future clients, improves our SEO (search engine optimization) so they can find us, and most importantly, lets us share what make our hearts happy – photography.
So here goes!
The week after Christmas, my family and I headed out to Franny’s Farm in Leicester, North Carolina. Frances, who runs the farm with her family, was a Facebook friend. One of us friended the other, probably because of our friends in common. When we finally met in person, we quickly did that, “you look familiar” thing before moving on. But I’d viewed photos and videos from Franny’s Farm because of this Facebook connection and fell in love with Dumplin the pig. When she added a post about the farm being open to visitors over the holiday, we took her up on the offer.
Our kids enjoyed the close-up encounters, the animals were so friendly, and Frances was so gracious and kind. It’s a beautiful spot, even though it was drizzly and cold when we visited. But it’s well worth a trip out to Leicester to meet her furry entourage.
Dumplin did not disappoint as he moaned loudly during a belly rub. Legacy the tiny lamb smiled as my youngest held her. And Abigail the donkey welcomed us and popped up in more than a few photos. Enjoy!
